The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-14
OBITUARY.
n.ath er John Roach, Americas Famous and
Widely Known Ship Builder.

n..th es John Roach, Americas Famous and
widely known hip-Builder.
Nrw YORK Jan. 10-John Roach, the great
.h;r.builder died at o'clock this morning. The
ssrri,v remained up with Mr.. Roach until l
n'clock this morning, when they retired, with
| sha exception of Garrett n. Roach. He re-
/ ,ra,ned on watch with the nurses DR.. Taylor
called at o'clock this morning. He detected the
| snproach of DEATH and at once informed the
family that Mr.. Roach had only few hours to
| live The dying man sank slowly. He lost con-
sciousness about 730 His end was unmarked
/ nv struggle In the room surrounding the
! couch of the dying man, were Mr.. and Mrs.
! william +. Mcpherson, of Philadelphia; John
| 7, Roach Garrett N. Roach, Stephen W. Roach,
/ Miss Emiline Roach John Walton, nephew.
Mrs Roach, and three grandchildren. The date
Of the funeral has not been decided upon, but it
will take place from St Paufs Methodist Epsco-
nal Church, corner Twenty second street and
! Fourth avenue. Mr.. Roach was a member of the
church. The interment will be in the family
| blot at Greenwood Cemetery.
The funeral will take place on Thursday at IL
NJ, from st. Pauls Methodist Episcopal
Church, Twenty fourth street and Madison ave.
nue. where the deceased attended. The Rev.
DR. McCEesney. the pastor will officate, assisted
| by Bishop Harris. The servicesawll be as plain
as possible. The interment will be at Green
wood The pail bearers have not Ibeen selected
| yet
! John Roach was born in Ireland, but
reared in America in the city of New York
. Prior to his starting in business on his own
] count ne was a common workman in the Allaire
/ works. At this place he soon advanced him
Il self through his adaptabity to business to
. the position of foreman, after which he estah-
sished himself with very small capital, but his
| old employers recommendations assisted him to
moderate credit, and his natural force soon
gave him prominence. In 1867 he was able to
. purchase the Morgan iron works for about
$780, 000 and in 1868 the Neptune works for
$3.50, 900, and two years later the Franklin forge
for s125 900. and also large property at Chester.
4 Pa, where ne subsequently put into operation
the extensive works known as the Delaware
river Iron ship-building and engine works, of
and owner He was the builder of numbe of
vessels for the United States government, hav-
ing been given the contract for the ships Dol
phip, Boston, Atlanta and Chicago. The Boston
was finished in August, 1885, and the unfor-
tunate Dol Hhu-which caused John Roach SO
much trouble by having been rejected under the
Cleveland Observation-Disclosures at last trans
ferred TO the government through negotiations
between MIR. Roa:h and Secretary Whitney.
John Roach's habits were of the most simple
nature He rose early. worked hard, retired
late, never smoked never drank, and was al
ways busy either with hands or brain. He gem
orally rose at o in the morning. hreakfasted at Z,
and was driven to his works at 8. His carriage
was a understanding coupe drawn by one horse.
His coachman did not wear livery, and a
stranger would more quickly think it hired
cab than the private carriage of millionaire.
II He remained at his Office until late In the day.
sometimes not returning to his dinner until long
after o'clock A great portion of his evenings
were spent in his library Here he read, wrote
and thought He was a great reader. a clear
thinker, and most forcihle writer, as his many
pamphlets on the subject of protection bear wit
ness. When question was presented, and his
opinion asked. he obtained all the information
fully and thoroughly sifted the facts,
and then formed his decision. When
his mind was once made up it was i'm
possible 70 change il. He took his position and
moving him. In illustration of this trait, it is
said that at the breaking out of the war Of the
Rebellion he sent for a copy of the Constitutions
of the United States and of the several States.
and carefully studied every section bearing upon
the right of State to secede. He walked the
Z floor of his library the whole of one night pom
dering upon the different sections, and meditat-
NJ ing upon their meaning The result of his
lonely vigil was firm conviction that secession
was wrong and national unity right.
4 In politics he a strong Republican, and
r though he rarely came to the surface during
political campaigns he was nevertheless a tire
y less worker His favorte method the dis
II tribution of political tracts written by himself
under a fictitious name. These tracts have
In many campaigns won thousands Of votes
.H over to the Republicans from the laborne
90 classes.
81 He displayed the same methodical way OF
thought ip the management Of his vast business.
He had over three thousand men in his employ.
and his monthly pay roll was $3.50, 000 His
executive ability was marvellous.
He usually spent the latter portion of each
week at Chester When he purchased this ship
r. yard, in 1871, the property was in the hands OF
FL receiver, wholly out of repair and fast going
Ia 4 cSit atpA he nala
twelve miles below Philadelphia. He believed
there was great future for the iron ship-build
i ing trade in America and selected this spot or
n account of its proximity to the iron and coal re
gons. He has built in all, 233 ships in. thu
III Yard
III Socially John Roach was most pleasant mar
nj to meet. He liked to hear good story ant
" could tell many in return. He full of wi
and keen humor and a most entertaining talker
He attributed most of his success ESQ he said il
his stories to the fact that he had never bee,
> plaintiff defendant in any lawsuit He ad
vised all his friends to avoid lawsuits AT on
y time Mr.. Roach was very wealthy, his estate be
VI ing estimated at from So 600 600 to $40 600 DOC
= His yard at Chester alone assessed 70
= $4,000, 600. and he owned a large amount Of rea
y estate in New York together with large shiy
Nj ping interests. What he was worth no one kne,
but himself, but good judges SAP that his wealt
would in the DAYS of his prosperity. at eas
amount to 5000 600. if not more. He was yer
charitable but his charities, although large an
far-reach,ng. mostly bestowed in quis
81 way, and without display or public notice.
n Mr.. Roach employed the services, for sever,
d years. of welknown Washington editor,
Nj more than average talent a graphic writer an
thoroughly posted in public affairs. On one o
casion Mr. Roach handed this gentleman a mas
ISL of manuscript, with request that he would r
wise and edit it. He took it to his office, but tt
more he expunged and interlineated the less
Ell appeared capable of being licked into shape.
~ n last resort the newspaper man threw the ma,
N pscript into the fire, rewrote the article fro
S Smprms 70 fms, and. mantlng with pride ;
e. what ne conceived to be grand success. r
Z turned the sheets for Mr. Roachs inspection
ii Iudra of his aatnnishment when Mr Rnac